Water Magician-Chapter 629: Grand Duke Atinjo

Editor: Tseirp

“So far, everything’s going smoothly.”

The next morning, Ryo announced with a smile before breakfast.

“Well, that’s true.”

Even Abel, usually critical, had to agree.

“Today I’ll take a small gift to Queen Iliaja, then afterwards we’ll head to the honmaru.”

“Huh?”

Abel didn’t seem to understand what Ryo meant.

“‘Honmaru’ means the main stronghold—your home base.”

“Yeah, I didn’t know that word, but I don’t understand the meaning of any of this…”

Ryo had explained the term because ‘honmaru’ wasn’t used in the Knightley Kingdom, but Abel’s confusion ran deeper than just the vocabulary.

“We didn’t bring any gifts yesterday.”

“Well, I didn’t expect to meet the queen out of the blue.”

Today, Ryo and Abel had properly prepared gifts.

They hadn’t expected Queen Iliaja herself to make the trip in person… so, Ryo thought they could give the gifts to the Suje delegation to take back to their homeland.

There were also presents intended for several other countries.

“Honestly, I wanted to present the Grand Piano ‘Shen-Lon’… His Majesty the Emperor said it would be fine too.”

“That’s heavy. And no one can play it.”

“I wish the Eastern countries would hurry up and send their students to study piano in Darwei.”

Diplomacy by piano, it seemed, was a difficult business.

After breakfast, the two went to the Freedom Breeze Annex.

Of course, the Freedom Breeze Inn concierge—sort of… had contacted the Annex on their behalf.

They were part of the same chain, so it should be fine.

They were told that Queen Iliaja was not currently staying at the inn and was attending meetings with representatives from several countries.

“Diplomatic work is busy, isn’t it?”

“It’s rare for so many heads of state and ministers to gather in one place. They can’t let the chance slip by.”

Abel said.

Ryo had seen such news back in his Earth days.

When summits—like the G20 and such—gathered many leaders, bilateral talks apart from the main meeting were often reported.

That seemed to be true in any era or world.

Ryo and Abel arrived at the Freedom Breeze Annex.

The receptionist was surprised—no doubt because of the two

following behind Ryo.

On each

sat a wooden box large enough for a person.

Apparently, the Annex had already been informed, and the boxes were accepted without issue.

The two left the Annex.

“So it was… , huh? That sort of magic always surprises people the first time they see it.”

Abel looked at the

and the wooden box on it as he spoke.

“Yes, it seems that way. The structure—how it works—is actually very simple.”

Ryo tilted his head as he said this.

There was no complex engine, no levitation or flight… four wheels firmly on the ground and a design so simple a child could build it.

From Ryo’s perspective, it was a fairly simple magical construct.

“If a golem like ‘Herald No. 1’ had been with us, I’d understand people being surprised.”

“Ah… Captain Lu Yao of Prince Ryun’s Royal Guard always walks around with ‘Friendship Token No. 2’, doesn’t she?”

Since the attack two months earlier, Captain Lu Yao—commander of Prince Ryun’s guard—had been accompanied everywhere by Friendship Token No. 2.

The only exception was when entering the Imperial Palace.

Even then, she would stroke No. 2-kun’s head many times before leaving the royal residence, seeming reluctant to part.

“No. 2-kun is loved—he’s a lucky golem.”

“Well, I won’t deny that…”

“What’s with that look, Abel? You look like you want to say golems don’t have hearts.”

“…They don’t, right?”

“No one can prove they don’t.”

This kind of proof is called the ‘devil’s proof’.

“Human minds are, after all, just vast networks of synapses flipping on and off. Ultimately, ones and zeros, digital. It’s just that the scale is so enormous that the phenomena we call a ‘mind’ appear analog. If that’s the case, it’s only a matter of time before golems or artificial intelligences gain ‘minds’.” ℟ÁŊƟΒΕS

“I don’t understand a word of that.”

Abel understood even less than usual.

Perhaps when there are too many unfamiliar terms, a person’s brain shuts down the circuits that try to make sense of them.

“It’s fine. My thinking is probably considered heretical back home anyway.”

“…Is that really fine?”

“In any case, time will tell… whether it’s decades or centuries, it’ll reach a conclusion without us. There’s no point arguing now.”

“That sounds rough.”

Abel spoke as if it had nothing to do with him.

Ryo gave him a sidelong look.

“What? Did I say something weird?”

“You experienced it too, didn’t you?”

“Me? A golem?”

“No—not a golem. Your sword.”

Ryo pointed to the magic sword Abel carried on his back.

It was sheathed and not glowing now.

“This sword?”

“Have you ever felt it move as if it had a will?”

“…Now that you mention it, maybe.”

“That’s it. A thing shaped like a sword was made by people, right? If human-made things can house a heart, it’s not strange that a sword would have one.”

“Huh… Now that you say it, I was told this sword was made by King Richard.”

“Oh… the founder of the Knightley Kingdom’s renaissance.”

King Richard—the founder of the Knightley renaissance—was said to have mastered all six attributes of magic and reached the pinnacle of alchemy.

Ryo was convinced King Richard was a reincarnator.

Apparently, the violin pieces Abel performed—Paganini’s ‘24 Caprices’—were things King Richard had once played.

Of course, the original composer was Niccolo Paganini of Earth.

The chance that Richard independently composed the exact same works was vanishingly small.

The 24 Caprices is that unique.

“If it was produced by someone who mastered his craft rather than just a skilled artisan… then a heart dwelling in it wouldn’t be surprising.”

“…Well, there’s no need to deny it. That idea encourages people to treat things carefully.”

Treat things carefully.

Ryo nodded silently—treating things with care is admirable.

Next, they visited the trading house two doors down from Freedom Breeze.

A sign reading Eastern Trading Company hung above.

Because it was a merchant house, there were no heralds or advances sent.

It was their first time visiting.

But they knew the person they sought was the head of this house.

“Welcome.”

A middle-aged man in well-cut clothes and polite manners greeted them with a smile as they entered.

Ryo returned the smile.

“Hello. I’m Ryo, and this is Abel. We came to deliver something to Chairman Sukwei. Could you announce us to him?”

“Eh…”

The man hesitated for a moment.

Then quickly composed himself.

“I’m sorry, but do you have an appointment…”

“Oh, we don’t have an appointment.”

“I’m sorry. The chairman does not meet with people without an appointment.”

The man spoke firmly but politely, careful not to be overbearing.

Naturally.

Neither Ryo nor Abel knew this, but when the chairman Sukwei was the leader of the city during its free-city days, he did not grant meetings to even the prime minister without an appointment.

The middle-aged man — the house manager, knew that fact.

Of course, there was no way they would be admitted.

But…

“Oh, that’s fine. If you tell the chairman our names, he’ll let us through right away. My name is Ryo, this is Abel.”

“No, but…”

“If by chance he doesn’t remember, please add: that it was thanks to us that you gained autonomy.”

Ryo kept smiling.

He did not mean those words as a threat.

He meant them as a reminder in case the chairman had genuinely forgotten.

He believed it from the bottom of his heart.

But the middle-aged man took the remark in a different light.

“I-I’ll go and confirm. Please wait here.”

Saying that, he led the two into a private room behind a curtain and seated them at a table.

When they sat down, tea was brought in from the back.

“Premium treatment like you get at high-end brands, huh?”

Ryo said happily.

“I don’t really get it.”

Abel replied. For him, the comment made no sense.

Despite being a king.

After a short wait, a man arrived.

He looked to be in his fifties, but the powerful green eyes he possessed suggested an intelligence and strength that had matured through many more years.

His hair was completely shaved off, making his green eyes and overall appearance striking.

“Ah—Chairman Sukwei, it’s been a while.”

“Hello, Ryo-dono, Abel-dono. It’s good to see you.”

Chairman Sukwei greeted them and immediately fixed his gaze on the wooden box.

“Well, we won’t keep you long. I’ve come to present this souvenir.”

“A souvenir?”

“We’re currently in Darwei.”

Chairman Sukwei tilted his head, and Abel moved to clarify.

“Oh-ho.”

“Ah, yes. I should have started with that.”

Ryo realized his omission and laughed.

“Two days ago, a negotiation delegation led by Prince Ryun of Darwei arrived. Did you perhaps come on the same ship?”

“Yes. There were various circumstances…”

“Hmm.”

Chairman Sukwei seemed to be thinking something over, but he soon brought his attention back.

“Please, the souvenir.”

“Thank you. I will open it, then.”

With that, he opened the wooden box.

Inside were…

“Oh, my…”

Inside were dozens of textiles.

“These are Darwei’s specialty silks.”

“Yes. Silk fabrics.”

Ryo said happily.

Chairman Sukwei examined the overflowing silks one after another.

He tried to appear composed, but Abel could see his hands trembling.

That alone told them these fabrics had considerable value in Kwebasa.

Ryo had chosen them as gifts because he knew their worth.

On Earth, such silks had been sought around the world.

Silk is immortalized in history as part of the Silk Road, and it was a specialty product remembered in world history.

Naturally, it was easy to imagine that in this world of ‘Phi’ it would also be a high-end specialty.

“And among them… these are the very finest.”

“They were bestowed by His Majesty the Emperor.”

Ryo answered with a smile.

At those words, Chairman Sukwei’s expression clearly changed.

Yes—he was surprised.

Silk bestowed by the Emperor would not normally be obtainable.

To present that as a mere souvenir?

“If I receive such a gift as a ‘souvenir’… I don’t know what to do. I’m overwhelmed.”

“Oh, no, no. We just wanted to ask something.”

Sukwei steadied himself and asked. Ryo smiled as he replied.

“We were wondering if you had any special information about the Grand Duchy of Atinjo, which is hosting this joint conference of the Eastern countries. Like who will attend, for example…”

“I see. Where should I start… Since the annexation, Kwebasa has been governed by Duke Helb.”

“I knew it…”

Ryo muttered.

And Abel nodded silently.

“Of course, the chief administrator is still someone from the old Free City government, but it’s just for show.”

That’s how indirect rule works.

“The Grand Duke will be visiting Kwebasa for the first time for this Eastern countries’ joint conference. Actually, there have been some troubling movements connected to that.”

At Sukwei’s words, Ryo and Abel exchanged a look.

What came to both their minds was the scene and conversation they’d seen the other day in the cafe.

Minister Jodaar of the Komakyuta Principality and Foreign Minister Mishita of the Kwebasa autonomous government had been talking.

About ‘that matter’.

“Does that mean the Komakyuta Principality and the autonomous government are involved?”

“…Did even you two already hear about it?”

Ryo asked to confirm, and Chairman Sukwei answered with a wry smile.

“If even those who only just arrived in Kwebasa know, then Duke Helb’s circle certainly knows.”

“Probably. Are they letting it play out… or baiting them?”

“Why would they bait them…?”

“To snare them all at once.”

Abel spoke with certainty.

It’s a huge hassle to dismantle small groups one by one.

When word spreads that others have been wiped out, the remaining groups go underground.

It’s far easier to let several factions move and then strike when they all gather.

Abel knew this from his adventuring days hunting thieves and from hunting spies as a king.

“But it seems the Komakyuta Principality has completely backed away from this matter.”

“Yeah”

“They weren’t keen in the first place.”

Sukwei answered.

Abel glanced briefly at Sukwei and asked.

“So, Sukwei-dono, are you involved?”

“Of course not.”

Sukwei answered without the slightest hesitation.

“When the annexation happened, we were able to secure autonomy. Thanks to your cooperation. That autonomy is very precious. A decade from now, maybe, but attacking the Grand Duke now does Kwebasa no good at all. Whether the attack succeeds or fails, the clampdown would get harsher. That would be terrible.”

“I’m relieved you understand.”

Abel nodded to Sukwei’s explanation.

“However… plans are progressing in places beyond my reach.”

“Is that possible? Beyond the reach of the former Supreme Council?”

“I’m not omnipotent, you know.”

Sukwei smiled bitterly.

And continued.

“There were members of the Supreme Council besides me.”

“I see. Other former Supreme Council members are involved.”

“They are certainly trying to stop it.”

Sukwei said this with a frown.

Then added.

“Related to that, information has leaked from those around the Grand Duke of Atinjo.”

“Hmm?”

“In the past month, the Grand Duke has apparently collapsed at least three times.”

“Collapsed?”

Abel said, then looked at Ryo.

Ryo looked back; neither wore an answer on their faces.

“If he’s in that state, he’s an easy target…”

“If he’s unwell. Won’t his personal security be stricter?”

“The Grand Duke is famed for his martial prowess. But if he’s ill, he can’t exert his full strength.”

“I see. It might look like a once-in-a-lifetime chance to some.”

Abel nodded, his expression grim.

It’s extremely difficult to dissuade those who see it as an opportunity.

“By the way, the Grand Duke of Atinjo was supposed to arrive in Kwebasa today.”

“All we can do is hope the security is so strict that the attackers will give up.”

The former Prime Minister’s residence on Administrative Island.

Now the Kwebasa Governor’s Office.

Its master, the Governor of Kwebasa, was Duke Helb—one of the Ten Masters of the Southern Sorcerers’ Church and the half-brother of the current Grand Duke of Atinjo.

Duke Helb knelt courteously with one knee before the carriage that had brought the Grand Duke and bowed his head even lower to greet the person who stepped down from the carriage.

“Brother, welcome.”

“Plak, thank you for coming to greet me.”

Plak was Duke Helb’s given name.

Now, only his elder brother, the Grand Duke of Atinjo, called him Plak.

“Plak, there’s something urgent I need to tell you.”

“Yes. To the conference room.”

Duke Helb led the way.

He had also heard that the Grand Duke had collapsed in his homeland.

For that reason, Helb had suggested canceling the visit to Kwebasa.

Still, he had come.

Duke Helb understood that the urgent matter to be discussed would be linked to that.

Once they entered the conference room and had the others leave, the Grand Duke began speaking at once.

“Plak, what I’m about to say is a direct imperial edict.”

“Yes, sir.”

Helb dropped to one knee.

An edict—an absolute command from the Grand Duke—was the highest priority order.

“If I lose my mind, or my body is taken over, or I go berserk and you judge it so, end my life.”

“Eh…?”

“Cut off my head, shatter the vessel of my soul. Do you understand?”

“B-but that…”

“Plak, I can ask no one but you.”

“…Understood.”

Duke Helb—normally calm and composed to the point of being imperturbable or, some might say, arrogantly self-assured—turned pale and looked down.

Even as an imperial decree, it was understandably difficult to accept.

A minute later.

His complexion returned and he asked.

“Brother, could you tell me why?”

“It seems one of the northerners is a Phantom King.”

“Impossible!”

Duke Helb cried out involuntarily.

Such an outburst was rare for him.

It showed how unbelievable the claim seemed.

“There should only be a few hundred phantomkins with ‘souls’. Are you saying a Phantom King has been born among them?”

“Plak, you know I can read the future, do you not?”

“Yes.”

“And I saw it.”

“No way…”

Duke Helb fell silent.

“Of course, it’s not certain. The future can be changed. In fact, I asked you to kill me in case something happened to me, so things should change.”

The Grand Duke smiled.

“I know the Phantom King can control phantomkins. But one hasn’t appeared in the last thousand years. Now one has appeared—and targeted brother…”

“I don’t know why one has appeared now. But, fortunately, the target is me.”

“Huh?”

“It would have been terrible if it had been you, Plak.”

The Grand Duke smiled again.

“You are, unlike me, a powerful sorcerer. You could single-handedly reduce the southern continent to ashes.”

“…”

“The Phantom King is not omnipotent. Plak, steel your heart.”

“Brother.”

“Even I resisted three times with a strong heart. You will absolutely not be taken over.”

“Is it really… really the Phantom King?”

The Grand Duke opened his robe, exposing his chest.

Right over his heart…

“A star-shaped magic circle. And this is…”

“If you are one of the Ten Masters of the Southern Sorcerer’s Church, Duke Helb, you should recognize it.”

“… a modified form…”

“Yes. It’s the magic circle of a .”

Three-quarters of the circle was stained a vivid red; the remainder was still faint red lines.

“If I am struck again, I will probably fall.”

“Brother…”

“Do not hesitate. Behead me, shatter the soul-vessel.”

“…Yes.”

The Grand Duke nodded with a gentle smile.

He seemed to feel free from lingering worries.

“If my life ends, my son Prince Bash, who is at home, is set to inherit the Grand Dukedom. He is truly my son, but human—not a Phantomkin. The Phantom King cannot take over him. Support him.”

“I swear on my life.”

Helb bowed his head.

But the Grand Duke noticed a trace of unease on Helb’s face.

“What is it, Plak?”

“If… if you are taken over by the Phantom King, and then I am taken over as well…”

“Hold your heart strong. You’ll be fine.”

“Yes…”

“Still anxious?”

“To be honest, I am.”

Helb was honest.

He had never lied to his elder brother.

“I asked you to stop me, Plak, because none other could. But to stop you… it would have to be no half-hearted person. Do you have anyone in mind?”

The Grand Duke asked. After thinking for a moment, Helb replied.

“One person… no, two people come to mind. I’ll go see them tonight.”

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